1915 1955 1975

Cherished vision of the Southland, Alma Mater in the hills: Thou dost point our minds to wisdom, Till the truth our spirit thrills. Appalachian,

In 1899 the misty ridges of Northwestern North

Carolina became home to a vision. It was a simple yet powerful vision: to change lives and thereby change

the world. The way forward was as simple and powerful as the vision, education. Like a pebble thrown into Boone Creek, two

brothers began a journey that continues to

ripple out into the world. Students came to this school nestled in the hills to transform their lives and

prepare themselves to make a difference in the world. Today, our world has changed greatly, however, this vision remains as constant as Grandfather Mountain’s vigil on the horizon.

After more than a century, students still feel the pull of this unique place to transform their lives, and Appalachian has remained focused on providing students with an experience that is not only life-changing but world-changing;

1995 2007 Today

Alma Mater of our hearts the joy and pride; Lead us ever, lead us onward, Vanguard of the Hero’s side.Cherished vision of the Southland, Alma Mater in the hills: Thou dost point our minds to wisdom, Till the truth our spirit thrills. Appalachian,

that experience is a university education but one that is distinctively Appalachian. This experience is rooted in a long tradition of values that have guided the university along its journey. Values such as providing opportunities for the best and brightest students to achieve an excellent education while working with great

faculty, being conscious of the larger world around us, caring for the environment in which we live, approaching learning with a creative spirit, and identifying and meeting the needs around us have been steady trail markers on the path to educating students who make a difference.

The Appalachian Experience encompasses everything that makes this place so extraordinary:

the engaging academic environment, the dynamic and integrated arts programs, championship-winning Mountaineer athletics, and our

two best natural resources - the people and the mountains. This confluence of excellence flows in and through these peaks and valleys

with the energy, urgency and exuberance of a whitewater run. Students, faculty, staff and friends all come to know that this is a special

place to be and that, once part of it, we never really leave it. It changes our lives and our ability to transform our world for the better.

We hold it in our hearts when we are away and, with Mountaineer pride, we celebrate the difference its bright future will make in the

lives of generations of students ahead. We are the Appalachian Family.

The Appalachian Experience

Ac A d e m i c s

A R T s

A T h l e T i c s

A ppalachian’s pioneering vision to change lives

and change the world is bolder than ever. True to

our Mountaineer spirit, we view the 21st century

challenges facing our state, nation and world as a call to action. To meet

this call, Appalachian graduates will leave our campus transformed

and prepared to be critical and creative thinkers, leaders, responsible

global citizens, and people who make real and powerful differences in

their communities and beyond. Your support of Appalachian through

the three priority areas of Academics, Arts and Athletics is critical to

ensuring that the next generation of Mountaineers is prepared at the

highest level and that the university is poised to expand its role as a

leader and innovator in higher education— one that prepares our

students to become passionate and successful alumni. Within these

three priorities five strategic initiatives have great potential to positively

impact the Appalachian Experience: scholarship, world focus,

sustainability, entrepreneurship and health and quality of life.

Making a difference in the world...

one student at a time

s c h o l A R s h i pSupporting Student Excellence To sustain an environment of inclusive excellence, the university must provide need-based and merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and funding for undergraduate and graduate research, and co-curricular learning opportunities. Initiatives such as the Honors College, ACCESS scholarships, athletic scholarships, and endowed distinguished professorships help attract the best and brightest to our university and change lives forever.

W o R l d F o c U sFostering Global CitizensAs our students become the next generation of leaders, it is critical that they view their lives and work through a global perspective. Support for programs which combine on-campus and world travel opportunities such as study abroad and faculty led trips, exchanges, scholarships, visiting scholars, arts and cultural events, and international education can make transformational experiences available to all students.

s U s TA i N A B i l i T YLiving for a Better WorldGrowing knowledge of the planet’s environmental, equity, and economic issues helps nurture students who make the world a better place to live. Important areas to fund are research in smaller scale technology and renewable resources, peace and justice studies, endowed professorships, the establishment of a curriculum around the economics of sustainability, a “green curriculum” for the entire campus, sustainability initiatives, and campus programs.

e N T R e p R e N e U R s h i pCultivating the Creative SpiritNo matter what area of study, students need to combine their critical, analytical, and creative thinking to address the professional challenges of the 21st century. Funding to engage students through working with entrepreneurs, promote education through research and service-learning collaborations, expand access to career opportunities, support scholarships, and create endowed professorships is key to nurturing students with a creative edge who can be thought leaders and have a positive impact through their work.

h e A lT h & Q UA l i T Y o F l i F e Enhancing Lives and CommunitiesAppalachian has always looked toward identifying the needs of those around us, and preparing students who can meet those needs. A strengthened focus on the health sciences joins many other areas to meet the challenge of making stronger and healthier communities. Help is needed to support the new College of Health Sciences, premier research and student support in selected fields, arts and cultural programing and athletics.

SUPPORTING STUDENT EXCELLENCE

c A m pA i g N . A p p s TAT e . e d U

Ac A d e m i c s A R T s AT h l e T i c s

Scholarship

R e c o g N i z i N g A N d d e v e l o p i N g s T U d e N T p oT e N T i A l

As a high school student, Ivan Penado wasn’t

really the type to join clubs or participate in

extracurricular activities, but you would never

guess that if you met him today. In fact, he never

thought he would go to college — the expenses

associated with higher education made college

completely out of reach and beyond any serious

consideration. But a field trip, paired with a

call encouraging him to apply for an ACCESS

scholarship, changed his life.

“Appalachian not only fueled my academic

endeavors but also allowed for personal

development and the realization of leadership

capabilities I didn’t know I had.”

Ivan PenadoClass of 2011

Ecology & Environmental Biology majorDurham, NC

m A K i N g A d i F F e R e N c e . . .

A speech pathologist for the Winston-Salem/

Forsyth County school system and mother of two,

Maria Vernon works to ensure that Appalachian

becomes a home for generations of students in the

future. After receiving a scholarship that provided

assistance for her Appalachian education, she

knew that she would always give back. “Receiving

scholarship assistance as a student instilled in me a

desire to give back to the university because I had

been given so much as a student,” says Maria.

“I just knew Appalachian was the place for me. I felt like the campus was home, and it has been ever since.”Maria Vernon ’99, ’01Chair, Reich College of Education Advancement BoardWinston-Salem, NC

FOSTERING GLOBAL CITIZENS

c A m pA i g N . A p p s TAT e . e d U

Ac A d e m i c s A R T s AT h l e T i c s

World Focus

pA s s i o N m e e T s s U c c e s s

Ieesha Griffin has a plan. A pre-med student majoring in

Cell/Molecular Biology, she is preparing now for overseas travel

to Japan to study the language, Judo, and medical system. “It

is my dream to be able to one day be fluent in Japanese,” says

Ieesha, “and after medical school, obtain a residency or even

practice in Japan.”

With a strong emphasis on international learning,

Appalachian offers Ieesha, who is minoring in Japanese, the

opportunity to combine a passion for helping others, a love of

science and enthusiasm for Japanese culture.

“I felt a strong pull on my heart for Appalachian,” Ieesha says,

“and it is a decision that I will never regret. I really appreciate

how the professors here put in the extra effort to reach out to

their students. After all, as individuals we can’t get but so far on

our own.”

“I really appreciate how the professors

here put in the extra effort to reach out to

their students.”Ieesha GriffinClass of 2014

Cell/Molecular Biology major (pre-med)

Charlotte, NC

m A K i N g A d i F F e R e N c e . . .

While an undergraduate, Brad Sparks served as an

Appalachian Student Ambassador and was among

the first group of student scholars to participate in

the William R. Holland Fellows for Business Study in

Asia program, helping establish Appalachian’s long

and close relationship with Fudan University. Now a

director with the accounting firm KPMG LLP in Los

Angeles, Brad credits his international experiences at

Appalachian as crucial to preparing him for his current

role as a Director for Corporate Responsibility. Brad,

along with his friends and fellow alumni, Kris Wilke

Byrnes and Kirk West, set up a scholarship specifically

targeted to students interested in traveling abroad.

“My experiences abroad made me want to give back to the university and help students today participate in the same types of programs that were so valuable to me.”Brad Sparks ’97, ’98Co-founder, Bullock/Sparks Explore Yosef ScholarshipEl Segundo, CA

LIVING FOR A BETTER WORLD

c A m pA i g N . A p p s TAT e . e d U

Ac A d e m i c s A R T s AT h l e T i c s

Sustainability

TA K i N g s U s TA i N A B l e l i v i N g T o A N e W l e v e l

Chelsea Royall was an undergraduate

student majoring in Interior Design, when

she was given the chance to work on a design

for an ultra-efficient home that integrates

renewable resources and innovative technology.

The daughter of two alumni, Chelsea always

wanted to attend Appalachian, but she never

dreamed that an opportunity she received in

undergraduate school would lead her to apply

to Appalachian’s Building Science graduate

program, and eventually become a member of

the construction documents management team

for a fully self-contained, solar home.

“Working on Appalachian’s Solar

Homestead has been a life-changing

experience that I know will give me an edge in

the job market.”Chelsea Royall

Class of 2012 Graduate Student, Building Science

Greensboro, NC

m A K i N g A d i F F e R e N c e . . .

Tommy Ausherman exemplifies the “Three

E’s” of sustainability: Environment, Economics

and Equity. His company builds solar-powered

trikes that can travel 30-50 miles on about 10 cents

worth of electricity. He works to make his products

economically accessible while also sourcing

materials locally. Tommy and his co-founders at

FFR Trikes also use their company and technology

to raise funds and awareness for charities,

including a 2010 ride to help build a school in

Sri Lanka. Tommy describes his dual degrees in

Business and Appropriate Technology as a perfect

fit for him.

“Growing up, I loved anything that involved building. My professors at Appalachian supported my ideas and made my business venture possible.”Tommy Ausherman ’11Co-founder, FFR TrikesFletcher, NC

CULTIVATING THE CREATIVE SPIRIT

c A m pA i g N . A p p s TAT e . e d U

Ac A d e m i c s A R T s AT h l e T i c s

Entrepreneurship

pA s s i o N m e e T s s U c c e s s

Honors College student Devin Lattin used earnings from

the two jobs he worked while carrying a full class load to

purchase stocks. When the opportunity arose to purchase

a business near campus, he sold his stocks, bought a small

hot-dog shop and put his experience in food services

to work. Three months later, he had earned back his

initial investment. While this might sound astounding,

his colleagues in Food Services who voted him “Student

Employee of the Year” are not surprised.

“How lucky I am to have professors

take so much interest in helping

me succeed.”Devin LattinClass of 2012

Marketing and General Business Management double-major

Asheville, NC

m A K i N g A d i F F e R e N c e . . .

Clark Whittington has turned his love for art into a business

that shares the work of nearly 400 artists from ten countries with

anyone who has $5 and can operate an old-fashioned cigarette

machine. Clark combined a BS in graphic design with a marketing

minor and a creative spirit, and now he makes access to art fun

and affordable for thousands of people in the United States and

abroad. His business, Artists in Cellophane, packages small,

original works of art into boxes that fit into re-purposed cigarette

vending machines. The machines dispense original artworks in

exchange for a $5 token. The idea came to him while working in

an office. “I sketched out an idea, and when I got my hands on a

banned cigarette machine, I created the first Art-o-Mat®.” Clark

credits his art and business professors with taking an interest in his

success as a student.

“The environment at Appalachian opened my heart and my mind.”Clark Whittington ’88Chief Operator Artists in CellophaneConcord, NC

ENHANCING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES

c A m pA i g N . A p p s TAT e . e d U

Ac A d e m i c s A R T s AT h l e T i c s

Health & Quality of Life

i N s p i R e d T o s U c c e e d

Delvon Blue wants to help address restricted

health care access for minority populations in

North Carolina. A student in the Honors College,

Delvon appreciates the challenging academic

environment, mentorship and internships that

are preparing him for medical school. When he

discovered a story about Richard Sparks, one of

Appalachian’s many passionate and successful

alumni who is making health care more accessible

in Western North Carolina, he was inspired to

pursue a degree in health care management.

“The success of Richard Sparks is a testament to where

Appalachian can take me.”

Delvon BlueClass of 2012

Psychology and Health Care Management double major

Winston-Salem, NC

“Appalachian State University gifted me with knowledge and a sense of purpose, and I want others to have the kinds of opportunities I have had.”Richard Sparks ’76, ‘78President and CEO, Appalachian Regional Healthcare SystemBoone, NC

m A K i N g A d i F F e R e N c e . . .

Richard Sparks began his career as an assistant administrator

at Watauga Hospital Inc. in 1978. He became administrator

in 1989 and president and CEO in 1990. During his tenure,

the medical facility has expanded to include the Seby B. Jones

Regional Cancer Center, the Sanger Cardiology Clinic, Mallard

Kidney Dialysis Center and the Paul Broyhill Wellness Center.

Since graduating, he has worked tirelessly to help Appalachian

strengthen its academic programs. He has mentored and

provided internships to students interested in a health

care careers and was instrumental in the establishment of

Appalachian’s new College of Health Sciences.

“It is imperative that Every Mountaineer move now to claim

a bold vision for Appalachian. This is

our university. We are changing lives and

changing the world.”Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock

To preserve and enhance the Appalachian Experience, we have embarked on a comprehensive $200 million campaign. These funds will strengthen the Academics, Arts and Athletics

experience for students, faculty and staff through scholarships, programs and facilities.

Appalachian ExperienceSupport the

ACADEMICS

$136.8 million

ARTS

$13.2 million

ATHLETICS

$50 million

ACADEMICS

$136.8 million

ARTS

$13.2 million

ATHLETICS

$50 million

T h e A ppA l Ac h i A N F UN dAmong the university-wide goals, of paramount importance

is the Appalachian Fund, which supports areas across the

university. Whether it’s funding scholarships so that students

can attend Appalachian, or making sure our faculty and

classroom opportunities empower our graduates as 21st

century professionals, a gift of any size to the Appalachian

Fund provides immediate assistance to areas across campus.

Every gift to the Appalachian Fund has the power to enrich

the Appalachian Experience and make a real difference in the

lives of our students. If you make only one gift to Appalachian,

giving to the Appalachian Fund ensures it will go where it is

most needed. If you’re supporting other areas, please consider

an annual gift to the Appalachian Fund to support our

students, faculty and staff. There truly is no better investment.

Ac A d e m i c s

At Appalachian, we are passionate about

our academic mission and committed

to providing a transformational

Appalachian Experience for our

students. Challenging academic

environments produce graduates that

are prepared to meet the demands

of an increasingly complex world as

critical thinkers, compassionate citizens,

creative leaders and innovative problem

solvers. Such academic preparation

requires support for student

scholarships, faculty development,

special programs and facilities.

$136.8 million

A R T s

The arts enrich our lives. Vital to the development of creative and critical potential,

the arts enhance our ability to experience, interpret, understand, record and shape

culture, and have significant positive impact on our local and regional economy.

Appalachian recognizes the rich traditions that have developed a local base of artists

and artisans who live and work in the area. The university complements these offerings

by presenting national and international visual and performing arts exhibits and

events for our university and community. Many of these events are offered for free,

or for ticket prices that are drastically reduced from standard market rates. Private

support is crucial to maintaining quality arts programming that showcase the best

possible artists and build the audiences of tomorrow who see the world with multiple

dimensions, thanks to the power and excitement of the arts.

$13.2 million

AT h l e T i c s

Appalachian boasts one of the nation’s premier all-around athletic programs. While

three-straight NCAA Division I football national championships and the heralded

2007 victory over Michigan — the nation’s all-time winningest program — have put

the university in the national spotlight, Mountaineer Athletics has more to brag about

than just its gridiron success. Appalachian is the only school to ever win the Southern

Conference’s Commissioner’s and Germann Cups, which recognize the league’s top

men’s and women’s all-sports programs, in the same year. The university has now

accomplished this feat an astounding eight times.

As they manage the rigors of training and competition on the fields and courts, our

student-athletes also excel in the classroom. On average, over 35 percent of Appalachian’s

student-athletes are recognized on the academic honor roll with a minimum grade point

average of 3.25. The skills they learn from their experiences in the classroom and on the

playing fields prepare them to make a difference in the world when they graduate.

Investing in our champions makes it possible for these students to prepare for a bright

future while excelling at the sports they love and bringing national recognition to the

university.

$50 million

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?As proud graduates of this fine university, we have gained so much by being

members of the Appalachian Family. Virtually every great experience we have

had in our lives can be traced back to the experience we had in Boone, with

the friends that we made here, and the friends that we have gained over

time as a result of our connection with Appalachian.

Now more than ever, we who have gained so much from Appalachian

must come together to build an investment opportunity for others. It

will take all of us — alumni, friends, family, students, faculty and staff

— doing everything we can to support Appalachian to provide the

resources necessary so this fine institution can continue to provide

the quality education we have all come to expect.

You are part of the Appalachian Family. Together, we

will continue to grow our university both in substance

and in reputation, and make Appalachian even better

than it now is.

Brad ‘75 & Carole Wilson ‘75 Co-chairs of the Campaign for Appalachian

c A m pA i g N s T e e R i N g c o m m i T T e e

George G. Beasley ’58Avery B. Hall ’93Martha Ann MurrayWalter V. MurrayDon Phillips ‘72Pat PhillipsHelen A. PowersAlice G. RoessBonnie SchaeferJamie SchaeferMichael SteinbackCathy SteinbackJ. Douglas Williams ’83J. Bradley Wilson ’75Carole P. Wilson ’75